RIDE 3

For some reason the game crashes on startup, but there is a fix:
Press WinKey+R to open Run window. In it paste: SystemPropertiesAdvanced
- Press Enter
- Click Environment Variables at the bottom
- Under System Variables, press New
- Add these values to the variable:
Variable Name:
OPENSSL_ia32cap
Variable value:
~0x20000000
Click ok to close the windows
Thank you to the people on the forums who shared this with me. I've always really enjoyed this game and coming back to it after many years I still think I prefer it to the more recent titles, it has a nice relaxed vibe to it and a great selection of bikes and customisation options, it's still very much worth playing and you can grab it for a lot cheaper than Ride 4 or Ride 5.

I had Ride 3 lying in my library untouched since March 2023, I installed and played it after 30 months in October 2025 I had finished every racing game in my library and replayed all my Need for Speed games twice. I was not impressed by the original Ride game so I didn't expect Ride 3 to be this good. Ride 3 is a racing simulator but it is also suitable for arcade racing players like me due to its lower difficulty options. The visuals are good, it is technically flawless - FPS rate was smooth, no crash or freeze, no significant graphical glitches.

Within a minute of launching the game the background music gave me good vibes, the game had me at the 'O...oowoe'. I'm glad I finally played this game instead of buying more games and letting my backlog grow. It is now among my top 10 longest played game out of the ~100 Steam games that I have played till now. It is not my top 10 favourite games but the game format demands a lot of time and it is enjoyable enough to be playable even after 20 hours.

The game is challenging even on lower difficulty. The Time Trials were invincible to me. In races sometimes I was on P1 from the start of the game till 90% and then P2 hit me from behind and I crashed and finished P4. I found that there is a Rewind option only after 10 hours so I can't blame the game for the frustrating difficulty. Despite using Rewind it was nearly impossible for me to win several races because of which I didn't finish the game but I'm satisfied with my progress.

Nice game, visuals hold up pretty decent. Bikes look detailed and they are customizable. Great deal for $4 on sale!

Probably my favorite bike racing game out there. It's a motorcycle encyclopedia, curated for casual fans and challenging (with the right settings) to more hardcore motorbike afficionados. Graphics are very good, handling is really intuitive, making the gameplay a pleasant experience. The only downside is the performance issues. Way too many freezes, chopped frames and occasional misplaced textures. 9/10 for a bike game, 7/10 in general (due to UE4 being dogfoo, the devs being incompetent, thus making this game's performance inconsistent).

Final Edit after 45+ hours...
I will recommend this game but only on sale.
I'm changing my review because while it has many flaws, it also is quite fun for the things it gets right.
But only on sale.
Edited after 14 more hours...,
So, I have to buy bikes that I don't want, to compete in events I don't want to compete in, just to unlock the bikes I do want to buy....?
Dumbest s**t I've ever seen in a video game yet, and I've seen plenty of dumb s**t in video games.
I take back my recommendation, even on sale.
Original review:
I wished for Ride 2's game mechanics with Ride 4's graphics and Ride 3 is the closest thing to it.
The Unreal Engine provided a huge leap in Milestones' motorcycle games and Ride 3 looks significantly better than Ride 2.
And unlike Ride 4, the f***ng brakes actually work.
However, much like the previous games, the 'rubber-banding' is atrocious.
But, the game is otherwise fun and playable and currently on sale for $5, so more pros than cons at the sale price.

RIDE 3, developed and published by Milestone S.r.l., represents one of the most ambitious attempts to capture the spirit of motorcycle racing in a modern simulation framework. Built on Unreal Engine 4, the game aims to immerse players not just in high-speed competition, but in the broader culture and craftsmanship of motorcycling itself. From the moment you step into its career mode, it becomes clear that RIDE 3 is not content with being a simple arcade racer. Instead, it strives to balance authenticity, mechanical depth, and visual fidelity in a package that caters primarily to enthusiasts of two-wheeled machines.
One of the most striking features of RIDE 3 is its enormous roster of motorcycles. With hundreds of licensed bikes from dozens of manufacturers, the game offers a sweeping cross-section of motorcycling history and style. Players can choose from modern superbikes, vintage classics, naked street machines, and more specialized categories like supermoto and sport touring models. Each bike feels distinct in handling, acceleration, and braking behavior, encouraging experimentation and personal preference. This variety extends beyond surface-level aesthetics; differences in weight distribution, engine output, and suspension setup significantly influence how a machine performs on the track. For players who appreciate the technical side of racing, this attention to mechanical individuality is one of the game’s greatest strengths.
The track selection further reinforces the game’s scope. RIDE 3 features a mixture of official circuits and road-based courses set in diverse environments around the world. From tight, technical racetracks to scenic country routes, each location offers a unique rhythm and challenge. The use of advanced scanning and photogrammetry techniques gives many tracks a realistic texture and elevation profile, enhancing immersion. Riding through sweeping corners at high speed or navigating narrow bends requires precision and confidence, especially at higher difficulty settings where mistakes are punished more severely. The sense of speed, particularly when racing at full throttle down a straight, is one of the game’s most exhilarating qualities.
Career mode in RIDE 3 adopts a magazine-inspired structure rather than a traditional linear championship format. Players progress through themed “volumes” that focus on different aspects of motorcycle culture and competition. This approach creates a sense of curated progression, where events are grouped by style, era, or performance class. It provides a wide variety of race types and challenges, including endurance events, time trials, and head-to-head competitions. While the structure can sometimes feel fragmented, it also prevents monotony and encourages players to experiment with different bikes and racing conditions.
Customization plays a central role in the experience. Mechanically, players can fine-tune their bikes by adjusting suspension settings, modifying gear ratios, and upgrading performance parts. These changes have a tangible impact on handling and speed, rewarding players who take the time to understand how adjustments influence performance. On the aesthetic side, the livery editor allows for extensive personalization. Riders can create custom paint jobs, decals, and designs, adding a creative layer that strengthens the sense of ownership over each machine. This dual focus on performance tuning and visual identity enhances engagement beyond simply winning races.
Despite its strengths, RIDE 3 is not without flaws. Artificial intelligence can be inconsistent, with opponents sometimes behaving unpredictably or lacking the tactical awareness expected in a serious racing simulator. Difficulty balancing may also feel uneven, particularly for newcomers unfamiliar with motorcycle physics. The learning curve can be steep, especially when advanced riding aids are disabled. However, for players willing to invest time in mastering throttle control, braking precision, and lean angles, the riding model offers a rewarding level of realism.
Visually, the game delivers detailed bike models and atmospheric lighting that elevate the overall presentation. The attention to reflective surfaces, tire wear, and environmental detail contributes to a convincing sense of realism. Engine sounds are another highlight, capturing the aggressive roar and subtle nuances of different motorcycles. While the soundtrack outside of races may not stand out, the mechanical symphony of revving engines more than compensates during competition.
In the end, RIDE 3 stands as a comprehensive motorcycle racing simulator that prioritizes authenticity and depth over accessibility. Its expansive bike roster, global track selection, and robust customization systems provide a wealth of content for dedicated fans. While technical imperfections and AI inconsistencies prevent it from achieving complete polish, the core riding experience remains compelling and immersive. For players passionate about motorcycles and realistic racing dynamics, RIDE 3 offers a substantial and engaging journey into the world of competitive two-wheeled motorsport.
Rating: 8/10

Best Motorbike racing game, love the light 2-stroke bikes (125cc and 250cc)